S4D4C EU SciDip Online Course Module 3

S4D4C EUROPEAN SCIENCE DIPLOMACY
ONLINE COURSE
MODULE 3
Who Are the Science Diplomacy

Stakeholders?
Ana Elorza, MA, PhD
Lorenzo Melchor, PhD
Izaskun Lacunza, PhD
Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), Spain

Quality assurance
The following reviewers have undertaken quality assurance of this module:
Tim Flink, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and at the German Center of Higher Education
Research and Science Studies (DZHW), Germany
Helen B Woods, University of Sheffield, UK
Marta Bozina, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Croatia
Mario González-Jiménez, University of Glasgow, UK
Practical information
This module takes a minimum of 3 hours
How to cite this content
If you want to refer to this content, please use:
Ana Elorza, Lorenzo Melchor, and Izaskun Lacunza. 2020. Who Are the Science
Diplomacy Stakeholders?. In: S4D4C European Science Diplomacy Online Course, Module
3, Vienna: S4D4C.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement No 770342.
S4D4C EUROPEAN SCIENCE DIPLOMACY ONLINE COURSE
MODULE 3 – WHO ARE THE SCIENCE DIPLOMACY STAKEHOLDERS?
Table of Contents
2.1 Introduction to the module .................................................................. 4

2.1.1 Learning objectives and experts’ preliminary insights ........................ 4
3.1.2 The S4D4C Approach to Science Diplomacy: a Multi-Stakeholder
Endeavour ........................................................................................... 5
3.1.3 Science Diplomacy Stakeholders. Our Taxonomy Proposal ................. 6
3.2 Types of Science Diplomacy Stakeholders ............................................. 7
3.2.1 Governmental Stakeholders ........................................................... 9
3.2.2 Intergovernmental Transnational and Supranational Stakeholders .... 14
3.2.3 Research and Academic Stakeholders ........................................... 18
3.2.4 Industry Sector Stakeholders ....................................................... 20
3.2.5 Civil Society Stakeholders ............................................................ 22
3.3. Types of Science Diplomacy Networks ............................................... 24
3.3.1 Local Networks ........................................................................... 25
3.3.2 National Networks ...................................................................... 27
3.3.3 Regional Networks ...................................................................... 36
3.3.4 Global Networks ......................................................................... 41
3.4 Question Time ................................................................................. 52
3.4.1 Brainstorming Questions ............................................................. 52
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Module 3. Who Are the Science Diplomacy

Stakeholders?
2.1 Introduction to the module
2.1.1 Learning objectives and experts’ preliminary insights
Learning objectives
At the end of this module you will have learned:
 Who are the main stakeholders of science diplomacy at the local, national,
regional and global level
 What is the nature of their work
 How they interact and create collaboration networks, and be able to explain
different types of networks
Please, bear in mind that the examples given throughout the session are illustrative and
not exhaustive.
What the experts think
To give you some sense of the variety of science diplomacy stakeholders, we have asked
a number of experts to share who they think the main stakeholders in science diplomacy
are. They will introduce you to different actors from both the government sphere
(especially foreign affairs ministries and science, technology, and innovation ministries)
and the scientific community. The role of supranational stakeholders is also mentioned,
as well as that of civil society organisations. Listen to these experts in the videos below:
William Colglazier
Editor-in-Chief of Science & Diplomacy and Senior Scholar in the
Center for Science Diplomacy at the American Association for
Advancement of Science (AAAS)
How many types of science diplomats are there? What are their
positions and in which institutions do they work?
Video Link to YouTube
Nadia Meyer
Project manager in the German Aerospace Centre (DLR)
What are the main stakeholders in science diplomacy internationally?

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Marga Gual Soler

Senior project director in the Center for Science Diplomacy at the
American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Who are the main stakeholders in science diplomacy internationally?

Peter Gluckman
Chair of the International Network for Government Science Advice
(INGSA)
What other international stakeholders relevant to science diplomacy

are there?
Some Questions to reflect on after watching the videos
These questions are posed for you to reflect individually about the main
messages put by our experts in science diplomacy. Please, take some time to
think about them.
 Do you think science diplomacy is all performed through classic diplomatic

relations among countries?
 Do you think there is space for researchers and researchers associations, for
instance, to play a role in science diplomacy objectives and scientific advice for
foreign affairs?
 Do you think there are enough interfaces for these stakeholders to interact and
mutually enrich their work?
3.1.2 The S4D4C Approach to Science Diplomacy: a Multi-Stakeholder

Endeavour
The S4D4C consortium celebrated its 1st Global Meeting “EU Science Diplomacy beyond
2020” in Madrid in December 2018. The main output of the conference was the
publication of The Madrid Declaration on Science Diplomacy (S4D4C 2019), which has
been acknowledged as one of the first public calls to all “actors”, including the general
public and scientists themselves, as key stakeholders in the science diplomacy
endeavour. For more information about this Declaration, you may go back to Topic
2.2.5. The Madrid Declaration on Science Diplomacy.
Joint science diplomacy objectives are possible where actors converge around such
common challenges. Therefore, science diplomacy goes beyond international science
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collaboration, as it tackles interests that go beyond the scientific ones and may directly
or indirectly serve to advance diplomatic goals.
This approach has a number of implications, as science diplomacy is not understood as a

thread of diplomacy but as a wider framework in which a rich variety of stakeholders
interact. Of course, this set up brings many advantages (the more agents working
towards the same goal, the better) but it also comes with some challenges that need to
be carefully understood and tackled (coordination, training, deep understanding and
respect of each stakeholder’s interests, etc.)
You may watch in the following video the main highlights of this 1st S4D4C Global
Meeting through the experiences of the different science diplomacy stakeholders in
attendance. Through this video you will be introduced to our multi stakeholder approach
on science diplomacy.
https://youtu.be/PgmnUlQPs4Y
Read more about the Madrid Declaration on Science Diplomacy here:
- S4D4C (2019). The Madrid Declaration on Science Diplomacy. Madrid: S4D4C. Available on:
https://www.s4d4c.eu/s4d4c-1st-global-meeting/the-madrid-declaration-on-science-diplomacy/.
3.1.3 Science Diplomacy Stakeholders. Our Taxonomy Proposal
In the following topics, we will provide an overview of different types of stakeholders with
an interest or a say in science diplomacy. We will identify what these interests are and,
finally, give real life examples. Throughout all these topics, you will get to watch short
video interviews from different experts, who will explain to you their personal
perspectives.
The taxonomy we propose to sort the different stakeholders working on science

diplomacy is a simple, yet effective one and it is based on the stakeholder type. Once we
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have gone through this classification, we will devote some time to reflect on how these
stakeholders operate and collaborate in different networks.
Thus, our taxonomy proposal has two levels:
1. Types of science diplomacy stakeholders, where stakeholders of different

nature are listed and explained
2. Types of science diplomacy networks, where different types of stakeholders

interact and collaborate creating networks with different purposes
3.2 Types of Science Diplomacy Stakeholders

We apply the following taxonomy of science diplomacy stakeholders according to the
nature of their work:
 Governmental stakeholders: involving nation states and subnational

governments in science diplomacy.
 Transnational and supranational stakeholders: in other words, international

and supranational organisations that transcend national boundaries and that are
directly engaged in global governance.
 Research and academic stakeholders: research and academic actors with a

stake in science diplomacy cover from research councils to universities, research
centres, national academies, learned societies, and also individual researchers.
 Industry sector stakeholders: private companies, which can be trans- or multi-

national companies as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), can be also
involved in science diplomacy.
 Civil society stakeholders: the role of national and transnational NGOs, civil
society organisations, private charities, and even individuals can be noted in
science diplomacy.
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However, this taxonomy has certain challenges that are worth mentioning here:
1) Level of action: all stakeholders may operate at the local, subnational, national,
regional and transnational levels, industry can have transnational companies but
we do not include them within the transnational and supranational stakeholders
because these are focused on those bodies directly related to global governance.
2) Governments are the actors in the transnational bodies: in International Relations

Theory, realists consider transnational organisations as tools that respond to the
interests of nation states, which are the actors setting up and steering the
governance of transnational bodies. On the other hand, idealists and
transnationalists uphold that transnational organisations have certain degree of
action to implement policies, set global rules and lead global negotiation that
foster collective action and consensus from nation states. Because of the
international nature of science diplomacy, we want to cover transnational and
supranational stakeholders as a separate actor but understand that they are
highly dependent on their nation states’ interests. Regarding supranational bodies,
nation states come together in a process studied by the integration theory to
constitute a supranational organisation that gathers legal jurisdiction, policy
competences, sovereignty from its member states, executive powers, etc. Again,
nation states are actors in this integration process but the supranational body has
a degree of manoeuvring worth noting.
3) Research is everywhere: research and individual researchers can be found not

only in the academic sector, but also in industry, government, NGOs, think tanks,
and other sectors. We associate it here to the academic sector to focus on
academic research and the concrete role of academic institutions and individual
researchers in science diplomacy. A researcher working for government or
industry would be considered a government or industry stakeholder as it is
assumed it will pursue governmental or industry—and not necessarily academic—
interests.
Learn whether science diplomacy goes beyond traditional diplomacy between nation
states by listening to some experts below!
Peter Gluckman
(INGSA)
Is science diplomacy a matter for classic diplomacy only? Is there

room for other type of stakeholders?
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Robin Grimes
Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) to the UK Ministry of Defence on nuclear
science and technology matters. Former CSA to the UK Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO). Professor of Materials Physics at
Imperial College London
Is science diplomacy a matter for classic diplomacy only?

3.2.1 Governmental Stakeholders
Nation states are one clearly identifiable type of stakeholder in science diplomacy. More
and more, national governments in the world are developing and deploying science
diplomacy strategies. Usually, these strategies are the product of joint efforts of different
ministries or government departments with experience in either science and technology
policies and/or foreign affairs, but the variety of formulas is vast.
Having said this, globalisation with its complex and interrelated flow of people,
information, technologies, ideas, resources and media has changed the way
diplomacy is being undertaken. These processes are contributing to elevate the role
of subnational government stakeholders in the global scene. As a consequence,
different levels of the public administration (from the regional to the local level) may also
play an interesting role in science diplomacy through a wide array of executive actions
and implementation channels.
National Governments
Nation states are traditionally the most important stakeholder in the system of
international relations. They are characterised by being granted sovereignty,
international recognition, and legal equality status. In their efforts to engage, compete or
cooperate with other nation states, they may harness their elements of hard power
(military, economic, etc.) or elements of soft power (the use of culture, science, tourism,
etc.) to influence societies abroad.
Indeed, as seen in Lesson 2.2. Science Diplomacy in the World Today, science
diplomacy has many different conceptual approaches, some of which focus on how Nation
States use science diplomacy as a soft power tool trying to promote core values and to
influence the opinions and behaviour of other nation states in a non-coercive manner
(Nye 2004).
Having said this, nation states face the challenge of a changing world where diplomacy
and international relations are no longer their unique realm. The contemporary changing
international scene welcomes many diverse new stakeholders and challenges nation
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states to seek coordination among all their national and subnational government
departments.
Main interests
Nation state governments usually deploy science diplomacy strategies that aim to raise
the importance of science, technology and innovation (STI) in the country’s foreign policy
affairs.
The most common objectives of these strategies are:
 Strengthening bilateral scientific collaborations and the support of countries’ STI

interests
 Facilitating evidence-informed positions of the country in multilateral endeavours

and global challenges
 Bringing new scientific opportunities and scientific talent to the country
 Using scientific collaborations as a tool for improving bilateral relations with

strategic countries
 Acknowledging STI as a key asset of the country in its image abroad
 Facilitating country companies to have a good place in the international innovation

market as well as in the research and development international arena
Although these strategies are government-led, the importance of other government

bodies, third sector organisations, research funding and performing organisations,
industry and the research community are commonly acknowledged as key elements of
these strategies and their eventual success.
How they operate
Governments deploy their strategies at different layers: from high-level coordination

among ministries or governmental departments to the deployment of scientific
counsellors or attachés in strategic Embassies abroad and/or the appointment of high-
level science advisors to Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
Budget-wise, there are again a number of formulas: cooperation among ministries, one
ministry taking full responsibility, etc.
Main challenges
For all countries the coordination among different ministries is a challenge.Not only
against this backdrop, training of the diplomatic corps in science and technology matters,
and training of STI officials with regard todiplomatic issues and the creation of
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interfaces, administrative processes and trust-building among different stakeholders are

examples of common challenges.
Also, acknowledging the diversity of the science diplomacy ecosystem and learning how
to make the most out of it is very important. Moreover, this must be done whilst
respecting different stakeholders’ independence and a country’s self-interests.
In the videos below, you will get an overview of the national science diplomacy strategy
of a specific country: Spain. You will be introduced not only to the need for a close
coordination between different governmental departments, but also to the responsibilities
that a diplomat or a STI official have when deployed to Spanish embassies abroad.
Lastly, you will explore an alternative perspective, that of a STI official in the British
Embassy in Spain who aims at strengthening bilateral STI collaborations.
For detailed analysis of different national strategies on science diplomacy, check the links
in the box below and additional information in Lesson 5.2 Regional and National
Science Diplomacy Strategies.
Izaskun Lacunza
Head of the International Projects Unit, Spanish Foundation for
Science and Technology (FECYT)
What makes the Spanish science diplomacy strategy different from

other models?
Miguel Oliveros
Minister Counsellor of Cultural and Scientific Affairs at the Spanish
Embassy in London
What are the competences and skills a good diplomat needs to have
in order to embed themselves in a big Embassy as the Spanish one in
the UK?
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Ana Elorza
Science advice coordinator, International Projects Unit, Spanish
Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT). Former science
coordinator in the Spanish Embassy in Washington DC
What were your main responsibilities at the Embassy of Spain in

Washington DC? What are the competences and skills necessary for a
science diplomat to work at an embassy?
Sara Cebrián
UK Science and Innovation Network Delegate in Spain & Portugal,
British Embassy in Madrid
What were your main responsibilities at the British Embassy in

Madrid?
Read more!
A few examples of national governmental science diplomacy strategies are listed below
Science diplomacy strategies from national government stakeholders
- Flink, Tim; and Schreiterer, Ullrich (2010): “Science diplomacy at the intersection of S&T policies and
foreign affairs: toward a typology of national approaches”. In: Science and Public Policy, Volume 37,
Issue 9, November 2010, Pages 665–677, https://doi.org/10.3152/030234210X12778118264530.
- Van Langenhoven, Luk (2017): Tools for an EU science diplomacy. European Commission.
Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2017. (Link)
- Ruffini, Pierre-Bruno (2017). Science and Diplomacy. A New Dimension of International Relations.
Science, Technology and Innovation Studies. Cham: Springer International Publishing. (Link)
- Sunami, Atsushi; Hamachi, Tomoko; and Kitaba, Shigeru (2013): “The Rise of Science and
Technology Diplomacy in Japan”. In: Science & Diplomacy, Vol. 2, No. 1 (March 2013) (Link).
- Report on science, technology and innovation diplomacy in Spain (Link)
- Science diplomacy for France (in French) (Link)
- Gluckman, Peter D.; Goldson, Stephen L.; and Beedle, Alan S. (2012): “How a Small Country Can Use
Science Diplomacy: A View from New Zealand”. In: Science & Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 2 (June 2012)
(Link).
More about soft power
- Nye, Joseph (2004): Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics. New York: PublicAffairs.
ISBN-13: 978-1586483067
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Subnational Government Stakeholders
Increasingly, subnational levels of public administration are key stakeholders in the

global scene. These subnational administrative divisions receive different names
depending on the country (see link).
States, regions, districts, cantons, provinces, comunidades autónomas, are just some of
the names that refer to the first few administrative levels of subnational governments.
They usually engage internationally to raise the profile of these regions for cultural and
economic purposes. Some may deploy regional STI policies to promote research and
development as well as talent attraction. Recently, some are even exploring ways to
engage with other stakeholders in order to deploy a joint science diplomacy strategy.
Large metropolitan areas have always had a global impact. Increasingly, some are
starting to design and execute science diplomacy strategies both to increase their
presence worldwide and project an image of a friendly ecosystem for STI actors and
potential investments. For instance, Mexico DF is experimenting with new ways to include
science into different local government departments. Other cities rely on partnerships
with other key stakeholders to design a science diplomacy strategy, this is the case of
the Barcelona SciTech DiploHub, which will be further developed on the Topic 3.3.1
Local Networks as an example of a network bringing together civil society, research
and academia, industry, and local government stakeholders.
So, although we are mostly addressing national governments strategies under this topic,
it is worth being aware of new subnational governmental layers that are raising their
science diplomacy profiles.
Main interests
As said above, among the main interests for these subnational government stakeholders
you may find the following:
 Promotion of the regional/local STI ecosystem to attract foreign investments and

scientific talent
 Fostering STI collaboration between institutions from different regions and cities
 Facilitating regional/local companies to have a good place in the international

innovation market as well as in the research and development international arena
 Increasing the importance and impact of STI policies in the governance of their
own region/city
 Increasing their role in international summits and organisations through the use of
their STI systems
 Networking with other cities for addressing common challenges, such as climate
change
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Main challenges
The main challenge for coordination in a multi-actor-network is the sorting out of

delegation competences. In democratic states, political actors as the rightful custodians
of societal interests (if these are even often only opaquely expressed), have little
steering competences over scientific actors (both individuals and their representing
institutions) and need to resort to soft governance approaches (incentivisation
mechanisms, competition, networked information flows, sensitive use of language). But
to gain impact on the global scene, to tap into international markets, to attract
investment and talent to regions, it is essential for all these actors to find a common
ground and coherence first.
It is also important to recognise that these actors and specially research and innovation
networks also bring different standards to the conduct of international S&T co-operation
that may not be common across countries, generating scientific and societal challenges.
Learn from an initiative that is trying to put Barcelona on the global map as a city for
science, technology, and innovation!
Alexis Roig
Barcelona SciTech DiploHub CEO
What role can a global city play in science diplomacy?

3.2.2 Intergovernmental Transnational and Supranational Stakeholders
The impact of intergovernmental transnational and supranational stakeholders on

international relations has been increasing for decades, and so is their influence in
science diplomacy, diplomatic summits and foreign policy goals.
In this topic we will cover those trans and supranational stakeholders hat are directly
involve in global governance. In our taxonomy, international non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) would fall within the category of civil society organisations. In
addition, international research performing organisations e.g. large research
infrastructures with intergovernmental international governance would fall within the
category of research and academic stakeholders.
Intergovernmental transnational organisations are composed of multiple public

entities. The governance framework and scope of these international organisations are
based on the establishment of intergovernmental agreements. They are international
organisation set up and steered by states, sometimes with involvement of other
international organisations whose voice counts state-like.
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Supranational stakeholders refer to the process of integration of different nation

states under the umbrella of a supranational entity actively transferring part of their
sovereignty and ensuring coordination and implementation of common policies in all
states. The paramount current example is the European Union and is covered in this
topic, but it will be developed further in Module 4. How Does the EU Practice Science
Diplomacy?
Both stakeholders especially reach a crucial dimension in science diplomacy when

addressing regional and global interests/challenges, which both require putting
forward international policies to raise awareness and get many nation states and other
stakeholders involved and collaborating with each other.
Explore the tabs below to learn more about these stakeholders!
International Stakeholders
An international organisation is an organisation established by a treaty, agreement or

any other instrument under international law, and often possessing international legal
status. They are mostly composed of sovereign nation states, but other international
actors may be also involved.
There are many different criteria to group international organisations. From the number
of members (universal, if unlimited; regional, if limited) to many different groups
depending on their scope, area of influence, governance framework, etc.
Traditional examples of international organisations are the United Nations (UN), UNESCO,
as one of its 17 specialised agencies, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Health
Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO).
All these organisations have divisions or projects related to science diplomacy even
though sometimes they will not be identified as such. For instance, UNESCO plays an
important role in the field of science diplomacy (see here), within their Science, Policy
and Society department based on UNESCO’s universal mandate for science for peace and
development since 1946. UNESCO has been key in creating:
 Science centres and organizations: such as CERN, SESAME, The Abdus Salam
International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), The World Academy of
Sciences (TWAS), or the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO); some of
which will be covered in 3.2.3 Research and Academic Stakeholders
 International science programmes: such as the International Hydrological

Programme (IHP), the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), the
International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP), the International
Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP) or the Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission (IOC)
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 Science-Policy interfaces: such as the World Science Forum, the Scientific

Advisory Board of the UN Secretary-General, and the Intergovernmental Science-
Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
Main interests
Intergovernmental Transnational Stakeholders’ main role is helping to set the

international agenda, mediating political negotiations, providing a forum for political
initiatives and catalysing international cooperation and collaboration among members.
In fact, a common goal for all international organisations is that they do not seek the
particular interest of one of their members, but the common interests of their
stakeholders.
Their objectives, goals or interests are properly addressed in their foundational mandate
or agreement.
In science diplomacy they are fundamental in establishing a global agenda for common
policy goals such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030,
which triggers policy implementation and cooperation among many different countries
and stakeholders.
Specific regions such as the Mediterranean, Antarctica, or the Middle-East have certain
needs and demands that make different national governments establish joint
partnerships and institutions to execute science diplomacy actions. Regional
international stakeholders are key to foster diplomatic ties and collaboration in
general and also scientific cooperation in particular between scientific members to tackle
regional challenges. The Union for the Mediterranean is one example that brings
together 43 countries to promote dialogue and cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean
region around human and sustainable development. You may see below a video with
detailed explanation.
Main challenges
International organisations are complex entities due to their governance frameworks.

These usually comprise a governing council — which is the decision-maker, holds the
executive power and represents the will of all members; a secretariat — the
administrative body; and a general assembly that provides advice and exerts control
but without legislative power; among some additional committees.
The balance of power among members in these structures may cause challenges for
policy negotiations and reaching agreements.
Their relations with nation states are subject to changing scenarios due to political cycles
and international relation approaches. Some countries want to advance in
transnationalism giving more power and influence to these structures; some other
countries prefer more protectionism wanting to retain their borders and power in the
international scene.
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Learn below from our experts who tell you about transnational stakeholders in science
diplomacy and delve into their role and mission.
Peter McGrath
Coordinator of the Science Diplomacy Programme in The World
Academy of Sciences (TWAS)
What are the main stakeholders in science diplomacy internationally?

Miguel García-Herráiz Roobaert

Deputy Directorate General for EU External Relations and Trade,
Secretariat of State for EU Affairs, Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
European Union, and Cooperation
What is the Union for the Mediterranean? How does it relate to

science diplomacy?
Supranational Stakeholders
A supranational organisation is a type of international groups or unions where member

states transfer part of their sovereignty in order to share the process of decision making
and vote on issues related to the collective body.
The European Union is a paramount example of the process of political integration

between member states, with their governments (represented in the Council of the
European Union) and their citizens (represented by elected members of the European
Parliament) that co-decide on policies, mostly proposed and executed by the European
Commission. In the EU, all members decide (Council) and vote (Council and Parliament)
on policies that will then affect national and subnational levels. The benefits of this polity
are the synergies derived from social and economic policies and a stronger presence on
the international stage, while the depth of European integration varies according to policy
fields.
Science diplomacy is a crucial tool to address cross-border and global interests. Thus,
supranational organisations are also needed to support these regional and global
interests. We will devote more attention to the European Union and its institutions in
Module 4 How Does the European Union Practice Science Diplomacy?
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3.2.3 Research and Academic Stakeholders
Research and academic stakeholders are fundamental players of science diplomacy and
they can take many different not exclusive roles in the science diplomacy arena.
Research and academic stakeholders take a variety of shapes and can be, for instance:
 Research performing organizations such as universities, non-university research

institutes, research centres, and large research infrastructures
 Research funding organizations such as national research councils and project
funding agencies
 Academies, professional charters, and other researchers’ associations
 Individual researchers
Likewise to governmental stakeholders, they belong to and/or operate at the local,

regional and national level.
Some research and academic stakeholders may be or belong to an international or

supranational organisation, but due to their research-related nature, we cover them
under this topic.
Lastly, some of these research and academic stakeholders may well fit within the civil
society category (See 3.2.5 Civil Society Stakeholders), like national academies or
learned societies. However, due to their direct role and key influence on science
diplomacy and to separate them from the general public and the nature of other civil
society organisations, we have decided to cover them under this well-defined category.
Main interests in science diplomacy
More and more, research and academic organisations develop their role in the science
diplomacy domain and are becoming more important. Some of their interests:
 Establishing cross-border scientific collaborations

 Exploring or establishing new research funding opportunities
 Acting as science advisors to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and other ministries
and governments
 Lobbying for certain scientific issues to permeate into public policy affairs and
raising awareness of the importance of evidence-informed policy making
 Representing academia’s interests and concerns at the national level
 Raising the public value of science and making the case for science to be a key
element to achieve national/regional/global goals
 Training on science diplomacy matters to the research community
 Mainstreaming the science diplomacy dimension into research projects
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Main challenges
Training researchers and research organisations wanting to have an active role in science
diplomacy is a pending issue on many occasions. Certain skills and professional profiles
are required both to first build trust between scientists, policy-makers and diplomats, and
then ensure a positive impact on science diplomacy activities (see Module 6. What Set
of Skills Do I Need to Be a Good Science Diplomat?).
Also, finding steady sources of funding to sustain specific science diplomacy projects or
even the very research institution itself is a great challenge indeed.
In their collaboration with Governmental stakeholders, one of the main challenges is to

establish well-defined boundaries between all stakeholders to both ensure mutual
interest and safeguard independency.
Lastly, designing adequate governance models is another challenge for research and
academic stakeholders.
Scientists can play a role in shaping public policies, including those related to foreign
policies. Watching the videos below, you will learn some insights from a policy
practitioner as well as from active researchers who will explain the role of research
centres, large international research infrastructures, international universities or scientific
associations in science diplomacy.
Jan Marco Müller

Acting Chief Operations Officer, Head of the Directorate Office and
Coordinator for Science Diplomacy. International Institute for Applied
Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Can you tell us briefly about your background and current position?
What is the role of IIASA in international science diplomacy?
Wolfgang Eberhardt
Advisor to the Synchrotron DESY, Council Member of the Synchrotron
SESAME, and Former Director of the Synchrotron BESSY
How can researchers in international research infrastructures

contribute to science diplomacy?
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Stakeholders?
Jerneja Penca
Senior Researcher, Euro-Mediterranean University
What is the Euro Mediterranean University? Why does it relate to

science diplomacy?
Eduardo Oliver
Senior Research Fellow at the Spanish National Center for
Cardiovascular Research (CNIC; Madrid), and former Secretary-
General of the Network of Associations of Spanish Researchers and
Scientists Abroad (RAICEX)
What is the role of scientific associations or civil society organisations

in science diplomacy?
Read more!
A few examples of approaches, perspectives, and reports from researchers and academic organisations are
listed below.
Research funding organisations

- The Horizon 2020 calls on science diplomacy (Link).
- The NWO’s (Netherlands research funding agency) fund on science diplomacy (Link).
Research performing organisations

- Science diplomacy: the role of research councils and the Global Research Council (Link).
Academies, professional charters, and researchers’ associations engaged in science diplomacy

actions
- The Royal Society (Link).
- The National Academy of Sciences (Link).
- ALLEA – All European Academies (Link).
- The Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) (Link).
- National Science Policy Network (Link).
3.2.4 Industry Sector Stakeholders
The Industry sector can also benefit strongly from science, technology and innovation
diplomacy.
Through consortia of private companies, this stakeholder is a very important partner in

science diplomacy efforts led by multiple governments to build large research
infrastructures, such as SESAME or SKA.
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Stakeholders?
Established large research infrastructures, such as CERN, may also launch public-private
partnerships where private sector stakeholders will be quite crucial to develop state-of-
the-art technologies (see CERN Open Lab).
In other scenarios, private companies also accompany civil society organisations or

national governments in specific actions. For instance, The “Geneva Science and
Diplomacy Anticipator” (GSDA) is being launched by FDFA and the Geneva authorities,
with funding from not only federal, regional and local governments, but also private
sponsors such as Nestlé. During the first three years, scientific and political experts will
meet to identify the issues to be addressed and launch the foundation’s first projects
(link). Swiss science and innovation diplomacy strategy is more important than ever in
supporting Switzerland’s economic and technological leadership (for more information,
read this publication).
Science- and technology-driven companies have a long history of collaboration with

Embassies and scientific and commercial attachés. In this sense, consider the Office of
Denmark’s Tech Ambassador, a formal diplomatic platform (thus, a Government
stakeholder) with physical presence across three time zones in Silicon Valley,
Copenhagen and Beijing – transcending borders and regions and rethinking diplomacy.
The platform aims to engage in dialogue and collaboration on a broad range of topics
with the tech-industry in key technology clusters, bringing them on board in STI
diplomacy actions. This is recognition of the political and global influence that the tech-
industry has in the 21st Century.
Watch below an illustrative interview about how the private sector fits in the general
scheme of science diplomacy.
Robin Grimes
Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) to the UK Ministry of Defence on nuclear
science and technology matters. Former CSA to the UK Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO). Professor of Materials Physics at
Imperial College London
Is there room for other type of stakeholders in science diplomacy?

Read more!
You may find more information about joint ventures between national governments and industry in the
references below:
- Klynge, Casper; Ekman, Mikael; and Waedegaard, Nikolaj Juncher (2020): "Diplomacy in the Digital Age:
Lessons from Denmark's TechPlomacy Initiative". In: The Hague Journal of Diplomacy Vol. 15 Issue 1-2, pp.
185-195, https://doi.org/10.1163/1871191X-15101094.
- Schlegel, Flavia (2014): “Swiss Science Diplomacy: Harnessing the Inventiveness and Excellence of the
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Stakeholders?
Private and Public Sectors”. In: Science & Diplomacy, Vol. 3, No. 1 (March 2014) (Link).
3.2.5 Civil Society Stakeholders
Civil society is gaining relevance in all fields of public policy as a key element that
participates and co-creates policy priorities with policy makers and other stakeholders.
Science diplomacy is not an exception to this trend.
In fact, these stakeholders may sometimes cover science diplomacy activities between
countries that cannot be performed by government stakeholders, due for example to
tense diplomatic relationships.
The World Bank defines civil society organisations as “the wide array of non-
governmental and not-for-profit organizations that have a presence in public life,
expressing the interests and values of their members or others, based on ethical,
cultural, political, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations. Civil Society
Organisations (CSOs) therefore refer to a wide of array of organisations: community
groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), labour unions, indigenous groups,
charitable organisations, faith-based organisations, professional associations, and
foundations.”
For simplicity, we highlight the following types of civil society organisations:
 NGOs,
 Non-for-profit private foundations or charities,
 Civil society associations and other organisations, and also
 Individuals, who for example use their reputation to catalyse actions
Main interests
Civil society stakeholders take a number of roles in this field and, among their goals we
highlight:
 Engaging with the general public

 Advocating for science, public policy and politics to communicate better
 Advocating for science as a key element to improve international relations
 Facilitating communication channels and exchange interfaces among researchers,
politicians and other stakeholders
 Supporting research by providing funds for international research projects
 Focusing on increasing science education worldwide with special emphasis in
developing countries
 Promoting and advancing on science diplomacy for concrete specific goals
 Advocating for concrete specific goals of science diplomacy (climate change, etc.)
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Stakeholders?
Main challenges
Civil society stakeholders will face challenges depending on their specific nature. For
instance, the lack of funding to sustain professional activity may hinder the reach of
many civil society organisations.
Also, the need to build up a social capital network to gain credibility and ensure policy
impact is a challenge for new organisations.
For those organisations already established and actively present, they must navigate
changes in local, regional, national and/or supranational governments (depending on
their area of influence) because of new elections, switch of government officials and
policy-makers, or change of policy priorities.
One paramount example of a civil society stakeholder in science diplomacy is the

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), we have invited one
expert to explain how they foster more connection between scientists and government
officers.
Tom Wang
Expert in Science, Technology and International Relations. Former
Chief International Officer of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science (AAAS)
How does the AAAS Policy Fellow programme work and why is it
important for the capacity building of researchers in science
diplomacy?
Read more!
Explore below some examples of civil society stakeholders in science diplomacy with their variety of actions.
Non-for-profit private foundations or charities

- Wellcome Trust (Link)
Civil society associations and other organisations

- The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Center for Science Diplomacy (Link)
- The Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) (Link).
- The Barcelona SciTech DiploHub (Link): in our taxonomy, this is considered a Local network and is further
described in 3.3.1 Local Networks but we refer to it here because its leadership falls within a civil
society organisation
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Stakeholders?
3.3. Types of Science Diplomacy Networks

In the previous lesson, we have sorted the diverse ecosystem of science diplomacy
stakeholders by type (who is the owner of the initiative). Since science diplomacy has a
very strong dimension of collaboration among stakeholders, these collaborations often
become established networks with a variety of scopes.
In this lesson, we will devote some time in trying to understand how different
stakeholders collaborate through concrete networks. Depending on the major purpose
of that network, we will group them in four categories:
1. Local networks: when their focus is on the local level such as any global city
2. National networks: when their focus pursues national interests
3. Regional networks: when the array of activities are focused on a specific world
region
4. Global networks: involving stakeholders from all nationalities and tackling global
challenges
In our taxonomy proposal, we identify networks as groups of stakeholders joining

together for a common purpose. It is important to bear this in mind throughout the
following topics. Sometimes, one single stakeholder operates in a distributed way
internationally (for example the network of Austrian science counsellors) but this does
NOT make it a network according to our proposal, since they only involve one
stakeholder (government) without any further distinction (different government
departments, for instance).
Hence, these networks bring together stakeholders of different natures, following

our proposed taxonomy they would be government, intergovernmental international and
supranational, research and academia, industry sector, and civil society. Therefore, we
can have:
 Mono-stakeholder networks: when it only involves different stakeholders from

the same category. For instance, governmental networks that gather together
different governmental departments or ministries around a common network
 Multi-stakeholder networks: when the collaboration is among stakeholders of
different types, such as a group composed of stakeholders from the industry
sector and civil society
The examples that we show throughout the following topics should be interpreted as
proof points of what we see as a clearly emerging global trend: stakeholders are
increasingly experimenting with many different ways to harness the power of
science and technology in external relations.
As in the previous lesson, please bear in mind that the networks we will show are
examples and we do not intend to be exhaustive
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Stakeholders?
3.3.1 Local Networks
As introduced in Topic 3.2.1. Governmental Stakeholders, global cities have played a

role in the international system, and now they are increasing their involvement in science
diplomacy actions. A new global order arises around global cities and their markets,
instead of traditional nation-states and their borders.
Local stakeholders of different types may gather together to build up a network to

project the image of their city as a global one that is friendly to STI activities. In this
regards, Barcelona has been one of the world’s first cities to implement a comprehensive
science and technology diplomacy strategy.
SciTech Diplohub – Barcelona
http://www.scitechdiplohub.org/
Nature
Multi-stakeholder network
 Lead: Civil society

 Other stakeholders involved: Regional and local government, Researchers and
academia, Industry sector
The network at a glance
SciTech DiploHub, the Barcelona Science and Technology Diplomacy Hub, is a non-profit,
independent, nonpartisan civil initiative led by an interdisciplinary, international team of
scientists, engineers and foreign affairs and public policy professionals.
SciTech DiploHub is committed to making Barcelona the first city in the world to
implement a science and technology diplomacy strategy and to make Barcelona an
influential global player in tackling humanity’s grand challenges through science and
technology.
Date
November 2018
Place
Barcelona, Spain
Funding
Public-private partnership
Type of Members
Individuals
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Stakeholders?
Rationale and activities
SciTech DiploHub takes advantage of the increasingly relevant geopolitical actor: global
cities. Big cities are economic, political and innovation powerhouses discreetly
transforming the international scene, becoming essential diplomatic players and
increasingly bypassing nation states to create city-centred global policies. At the same
time, science and technology are the driving forces in economic and social progress and
have become key tools to tackle humanity’s grand challenges. In this exciting context
Barcelona has taken the lead with its own science and technology diplomacy strategy.
SciTech DiploHub has launched The Barcelona Manifesto for a City-led Science and
Technology Diplomacy supported by 150 world-class scientists, tech experts, public
policy and foreign affairs professionals. The manifesto aims to consolidate Barcelona as
an innovation capital, ready to position the city as an influential geopolitical actor through
science diplomacy.
https://youtu.be/mfawl4_5cpQ
Barcelona’s science diplomacy action plan includes partnerships among the scientific
community, start-ups, policy-makers, NGOs, the diplomatic corps, the private sector and
civil society.
The network also aims to empower a global network of top scientists and technology
experts educated in Barcelona, Barcelona Alumni, to foster international cooperation,
showcase scientific strengths abroad and interpret key global issues.
SciTech DiploHub also aims to build up a Diplomatic Circle alike to the Science and
Technology Diplomatic Circle (S&TDC) in Boston, which will be covered on topic 3.3.4
Global Networks.
Finally, SciTech DiploHub wants to pave the way for other global cities committed to
developing their own science and technology diplomacy strategies creating a network of
networks.
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Stakeholders?
What the experts think?
Find out more about the SciTech DiploHub from its CEO below!
Alexis Roig
Barcelona SciTech DiploHub CEO
What is the approach of the Barcelona SciTech DiploHub?

Read more!
Besides visiting the SciTech DiploHub’s website, we also recommend you read:
- Roig, Alexis (2018): “A Science Diplomacy for Barcelona Global Cities Take the Lead”. In: Medium. AAAS
Center for Science Diplomacy, Nov 30, 2018. Available on: https://medium.com/sciencediplomacy/a-
science-diplomacy-for-barcelona-global-cities-take-the-lead-c41a4a2a9493.
3.3.2 National Networks
Countries have different science diplomacy national strategies to pursue their

international policy goals in STI. The majority of states rely heavily on specifically
recruited experts working together with career diplomats. In many cases these tend to
be local employees of the respective Embassy or deployed diplomats and/or officers from
their home countries. The coordination of these stakeholders may rely solely on the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of STI, the Economics and Trade Department, or
on a mixed governance model. We will cover below the UK Science and Innovation
Network as a paramount example of mono-stakeholder governmental national
networks.
An increasing number of countries are also extending their national networks (which are
associated with their Embassies) by establishing additional innovation hubs abroad not
necessarily linked to Embassies or Consulates, but to global innovative clusters. Here we
want to highlight the case of the Swissnex Network of Switzerland, but the Office of
Denmark’s Tech Ambassador would also be a valid example.
Research and Academia as well as Civil Society Organisations may develop their own
national networks too, and in doing so they influence the strategy of national
governments, becoming even a significant collaborative driver for some countries. This is
the case of Spain, the science diplomacy strategy of which includes a bottom-up, multi-
stakeholder approach to science diplomacy. The Spanish government has been
collaborating with communities of Spanish scientists abroad as key partners for public
diplomacy (Elorza Moreno et al., 2017).
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Stakeholders?
Indeed, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Diaspora Networks may play
an active role in science diplomacy and represent a special type of network that is worth
exploring further.
Browse the tabs below to learn more about all of them! Note there are additional links
further below and more information in Lesson 5.2 Regional and National Science
Diplomacy Strategies.
UK Science and Innovation Network
Main website: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/uk-science-and-innovation-

network
The Global Science and Innovation Network Blog: https://blogs.fco.gov.uk/global-

science-and-innovation-network/
Nature
Mono-stakeholder network: Governmental stakeholder is the unique and lead

stakeholder, bringing together two governmental departments.
It may collaborate with other national and international stakeholders on a project basis.
The UK is a global leader in science and innovation, and international collaboration is

essential to maintaining the excellence of the UK’s research base and the competitive
advantage of their innovative businesses.
The Science and Innovation Network (SIN) allocates local officers in over 40 countries
and territories around the world, in order to build partnerships and collaborations
between the UK and other countries.
SIN officers work with the local science and innovation community in support of UK policy
overseas, leading to mutual benefits to the UK and the host country.
Date
Established in 2001
Place
Around 110 officers in 40 countries and regions
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Stakeholders?
UK SIN has officers around the world covering countries and territories
Funding
A network managed and funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with
coordination and additional funding from the UK Department for Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Type of Members
A network of STI attaches (locally hiredofficers) who are embedded in British embassies
and consulates abroad, working alongside career diplomats
SIN strives to build up key science and innovation partnerships between UK and host
countries to maintain the UK’s scientific excellence and reputation, and support British
interest in the global footrace on innovation. These collaborations may fill capability gaps,
add value by leveraging international resources, ensure the UK is a partner of choice, and
help British companies to tap into foreign markets.
SIN teams develop country-specific action plans and work to the following global
objectives:
 Prosperity – enhancing UK growth and exports; connecting innovative UK

industries and scientific expertise with international opportunities
 Security – delivering solutions to global challenges such as anti-microbial
resistance (AMR), health, energy, the conservation and sustainable use of
oceans, and enhancing resilience to natural disasters
 Influence – strengthening the UK’s foreign policy influence through science and
innovation
 Development – supporting international development goals and matching UK
expertise to international need
SIN is pursuing these objectives via a series of thematic programmes such as: Health
and Life Sciences, Clean Energy, Food and Agriculture, Future Manufacturing, Cyber and
Information Communications Technology (ICT), Quantum Technology, Future Cities,
Resources and resilience, Polar Regions, Space, and Oceans.
SIN has published a list of impact stories, where you may understand their impact all
around the globe in different topics and scenarios. Visit this link for further information.
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Stakeholders?
Watch the interview below to one SIN officer!
Sara Cebrián
UK Science and Innovation Network Delegate in Spain & Portugal,
British Embassy in Madrid
Could you describe shortly the British science diplomacy model?

Swissnex Network
https://www.swissnex.org/
Nature
A multi stake-holder network involving:
 Lead: Government (bringing together two governmental departments)
 Other stakeholders: Industry sector (start-ups, innovation-driven companies and

creative industries linked to education, research and innovation), Research and
Academia, and Civil Society Organisations
Swissnex is the Swiss global network connecting the dots in education, research, and
innovation. Their goal is to support the outreach and active engagement of Swiss
partners in the international exchange of knowledge, ideas and talent.
The Swissnex Network is an initiative of the State Secretariat for Education, Research
and Innovation (SERI) and is part of the Confederation’s network abroad managed by the
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The activities of the Swissnex Network are based
on a collaborative approach, relying on public and private partnerships and funding
The five Swissnex locations and their outposts are established in the world’s most
innovative hubs. Together with around twenty Science and Technology Offices (STO) and
Counsellors (STC) based in Swiss Embassies, they all contribute to strengthen
Switzerland’s profile as a world-leading innovation hotspot.
Date
2000
Place
Swissnex offices are located in Boston (2000), San Francisco (2003), Singapore(*)
(2004), Shanghai (2008), Bangalore (2010) and Rio de Janeiro (2014), with additional
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Stakeholders?
outposts and the connection to Science and Technology Offices in Swiss Embassies. See
map below.
(*) In 2015, after 10 years of activity, it was decided to transform Swissnex Singapore
into a Science and Technology Office within the Swiss Embassy
The Swiss global network comprises five Swissnex locations (in big red), three Swissnex outposts
(in small red), twenty Science and Technology Offices and Counsellors based in Swiss Embassies
(in blue), and its headquarters (in green). For more information, visit this link.
Funding
Public (SERI and other public partners) with Private partners
Type of Members
A network of over 70 employees deployed in over 30 locations
The Swiss government is active in science, policies, and diplomacy through the
internationalisation of almost all technical departments, its support for developing and
emerging countries. For that purpose, the Swiss federal government has created a formal
science diplomacy network that includes eighteen science counsellors and a set of
Swissnex offices and outposts.
Swissnex is a public-private partnership to promote cooperation in science, technology,

and innovation. The network is based on the organization ordinances of the Federal
Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) and the Federal
Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
The Swissnex Committee (public and private members) advises the State Secretary for
Education, Research and Innovation on strategic issues relating to the Swissnex Network.
It comprises ten high-ranking representatives from the most important ERI institutions
(Swiss National Science Foundation, Innosuisse, swissuniversities), the foundations
sector, and the public and industry sector. More information about Swissnex’s
governance, here.
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Stakeholders?
The Swissnex model is based on four basic principles: strategic location selection,
partnership funding model, autonomy and decentralised governance, and entrepreneurial
organisational culture.
Learn more about the Swiss science diplomacy model from the following expert.
Niccolo Iorno
Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
Could you describe shortly the Swiss science diplomacy model?

STI Diaspora Networks
Researchers, tech experts and innovators of a specific nationality who live and work
abroad may establish Research and Academic organisations with the aims of:
1. Increasing their voice in their host countries

2. Influencing STI policies in their home countries
3. Fostering bilateral STI collaborations and talent mobility
STI diaspora networks have vast potential as agents for innovation and
internationalisation in their home countries as well as for exploring new ways of
engagement between stakeholders of all natures (read more, here).
These organisations are usually run by researchers and/or tech experts and they may
differ in both scope and nature (multisector, multidisciplinary, etc.). Some of these
organisations closely interact with Government, other Research and Academic
institutions, and Civil Society and Private funders to achieve their goals and to develop
projects in partnerships.
Governments that have their STI diaspora as a policy priority strive to establish
mechanisms to interact and collaborate with their STI diaspora for mutual benefit, be it
through either their networks of embassies and consulates or through different STI
governmental departments. This is of special importance for developing countries and
emerging economies, but it is also becoming more important for advanced economies as
a way to include more STI affairs in their foreign policy agenda. Some governments are
even the ones establishing and managing the STI diaspora, such as Germany and their
German Academic International Network (GAIN) or Greece and their “Bridges” initiative
(Labrianidis et al., 2019).
Research and academic institutions are also crucial partners of the STI diaspora, as they
will be the direct beneficiaries of international scientific cooperation and talent mobility.
Going one step further, some universities keep track of their alumni establishing their
own alumni networks, while other universities foster foreign student and researcher
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Stakeholders?
associations in their campuses to increase their internationalisation profile, among other

goals. Additionally, scientific and engineering professional societies, as well as national
academies of science can support the development of STI diasporas and collaborate with
them in specific projects.
Examples of STI diaspora networks
There is not a single model of STI diaspora network. Here we list some examples, but
there are many more out there!
Please, note that we are considering networks from one nationality that transcends
physical borders. There are STI diaspora scientific associations based in just one country
(see list of examples at the end of this page), which would fall, following our taxonomy,
under the category of “Research and Academic” stakeholders, and not under “National
Networks”.
Also, we will revisit STI diaspora networks in the topic 3.3.3 Regional Networks and
3.3.4 Global Networks for some particular cases.
German Academic International Network (GAIN)
https://www.gain-network.org/en/
Nature
Multi-stakeholder network
 Lead: Government and Research and Academia (research funders)

 Partners: Research and Academia (research performing organisations and
individual researchers)
GAIN is a joint initiative of the three major research funding organizations in Germany:
the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH), the German Academic Exchange Service
(DAAD), the German Research Foundation (DFG) and receives support from the Federal
Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF). With its associated members and
cooperation partners, the network covers the entire spectrum of the German research
landscape (see here).
Country
Germany
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Stakeholders?
Place
GAIN has a total of 49 GAIN chapters present in the United States of America, Canada,
the United Kingdom, Austria, Singapur, and Germany.
Date
2003
Mission
GAIN is the network of German scientists and researchers of all disciplines, working at
leading research institutions worldwide. GAIN helps its members maintain and build their
international networks and facilitates transatlantic mobility and cooperation. GAIN
informs about career and funding opportunities and recent developments in science
policy in Germany (read more here). To achieve these aims, GAIN displays a variety of
professional networking events and an annual career fair in the US.
Scientific Malaysian
http://www.scientificmalaysian.com
Nature
Mono-stakeholder network (group of Malaysian scientists around the world)
Lead: Research and Academia (individual researchers)
Country
Malaysia
Place
Individual Malaysian scientists, researchers, and tech innovators belong to this network
and are scattered throughout 24 countries, most of them in Malaysia, US, UK, and
Australia.
Date
2011
Mission
The initiative aims to connect Malaysian scientific researchers and industry professionals
across the world to discuss research issues in Malaysia, to represent the voice of the
Malaysian scientific community across the world, to provide collective ideas in hopes to
improve scientific research and development in Malaysia, to promote research
collaboration within academia and/or with the industry, and to inspire and provide
guidance for early stage Malaysian researchers.
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Stakeholders?
Red de Asociaciones de Investigadores y Científicos Españoles en el

Exterior (RAICEX)
https://raicex.wordpress.com
Nature
Mono-stakeholder network (a network of 17 researchers’ associations in different
countries).
Lead: Research and Academia (researchers’ associations)
Country
Spain
Place
The network is present in 16 countries around the world: United Kingdom, Germany,
United States of America, Sweden, China, Norway, Denmark, Australia, Mexico, Belgium,
France, the Netherlands, Japan, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, and South Africa.
Date
2018
Mission
RAICEX aims to foster networking and knowledge exchange between Spanish researchers
and scientists abroad. It also wants to position itself as an advisory body to the Spanish
STI system to exchange information and to catalyse international and multinational
scientific collaborations.
Jürgen Haberleithner
Professor at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Study
Centre, APEC Study Centres Consortium (ASCC) and University of
Colima (Mexico).
Head of the chapter Mexico of the Austrian Scientists and Scholars in
North America diaspora association (ASCINA) and president of the
Austrian-Spanish Society
What is the role of scientific and innovation diasporas in science

diplomacy?
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Stakeholders?
Learn more about STI diasporas and their engagement with national governments
in the links below!
The impact of STI diasporas

- Guchteneire, Paul de; Koenig, Matthias; and Mahroum, Sami (2006): "Transnational knowledge
through diaspora networks". In: International Journal on Multicultural Societies, Vol. 8, No. 1.
UNESCO (link).
- Royal Society, The (2011): Knowledge, networks and nations. Global scientific collaboration in the
21st century. RS Policy document 03/11. London: The Royal Society. ISBN: 978-0-85403-890-9,
(link).
- Meyer, Jean-Baptiste (coord.) (2015): Diaspora: hacia la nueva frontera. Marseille (FRA);
Montevideo: IRD; Universidad de la Republica. (Link, in Spanish).
References
- Elorza Moreno, Ana; Melchor, Lorenzo; Orts-Gil, Guillermo; Gracia, Cristina; Lacunza, Izaskun;
Izquierdo, Borja; and Fernández-Vera, José Ignacio (2017): “Spanish Science Diplomacy: A Global
and Collaborative Bottom-Up Approach” In: Science & Diplomacy, Vol. 6, No. 1 (March 2017).
Available on: http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/article/2017/spanish-science-diplomacy-global-and-
collaborative-bottom-approach.
- Labrianidis, Lois; Sachini, Evi; and Karampekios, Nikolaos (2019): “Establishing a Greek Diaspora
Knowledge Network through ‘Knowledge and Partnership Bridges’”. In: Science & Diplomacy, Vol. 8,
No. 1 (May 2019). Available on: http://sciencediplomacy.org/article/2019/establishing-greek-
diaspora-knowledge-network-through-knowledge-and-partnership-bridges.
More examples of STI diasporas networks

- The Polonium Foundation (link).
- Austrian Scientists and Scholars in North America (ASCINA) (link).
Examples of STI diasporas based in one country

- Asociación de Profesionales Argentinos en Reino Unido – APARU (link).
- Portuguese Association of Researchers and Students in the UK – PARSUK (link).
- Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America (link).
3.3.3 Regional Networks
Stakeholders may gather around specific regions or regional interests. The scope of their
actions or their nature may differ. Here we display three types of regional networks.
In our taxonomy, regional STI diaspora networks differ from national STI diaspora
networks because their members belong to or strive to improve the conditions of a
specific region rather than a certain nationality. The illustrative example we show here is
that of the Society for the Advancement of Science in the Arab World (SASTA), which
represents all Arab researchers working abroad.
Regional educational networks focus on building capacities and knowledge around a

certain region. We describe here the UArctic Science Diplomacy Thematic Network as an
example.
Lastly, regional research networks are research funding programmes, research

clusters, or international scientific cooperation networks or tools that certain countries
launch to promote scientific collaboration with countries of geopolitical interest. We
describe here the case of CYTED, an interregional cooperation programme between
Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
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Stakeholders?
Regional Diaspora Networks
Society for the Advancement of Science and Technology in the Arab

World (SASTA)
http://www.sastaworld.com/
Nature
Mono stakeholder – Research and academia (individual researchers across the world)
The Society for the Advancement of Science and Technology in the Arab World
(SASTA) was born out of the mutual interest of Arab Expatriate Scientists (AES) and
Academics living abroad to engage more effectively with the Arab Education, Science and
Technology community to create a positive impact in the Arab World.
Date
2011
Place
International network, registered as a non-profit organization with the Office of the
Secretary of State of California
Funding
Membership fees and donations
Type of members
All local and expatriate Arab scientists who are graduates (holders of a PhD, MD, DO,
DDS or equivalent terminal degree) are eligible for membership and voting (See
guidelines, here)
SASTA’s mission is to mobilise and catalyse the engagement of scientists, professionals,

NGO’s, academic institutions and professional societies to advance higher education,
science and research in Arab countries.
To contribute to the advancement of science, technology, higher education and research

in the Arab region through supporting scientific human capacity building, development of
academic and research programmes and providing scientific, technical and material
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support to local academic, scientists and universities. SASTA seeks to achieve these
objectives by:
 Developing and maintaining a comprehensive database of Arab expatriate and

scientists in the Arab world and develop tools that would enable the use of this
database as a catalyst for capacity building through networking and collaboration
between scientists in the Arab world and abroad.
 Establishing partnerships with universities, NGO’s, professional societies and
industries in and outside the region.
 Developing programmes to train local scientists in specific research areas of
special importance to their local society needs and/or national priorities
 Acting as an independent non-partisan scientific body on issues related to science
and its advancement in the Arab region
 Promote science-based programmes on sustainable economic development and
establish a cooperation of sustainable science and technology between academic
institutions, industry and government.
To date, SASTA has established partnerships and collaborations with different institutions
such as the Arab League, the Jordan University of Science and Technology, and the
World Economic Forum.
Educational Networks
The University of Arctic (UA)
https://www.uarctic.org/organization/thematic-networks/science-diploma
Nature
Mono-stakeholder (Research and academia)
The University of the Arctic (UArctic) is a cooperative network of universities, colleges,

research institutes and other organizations concerned with education and research in and
about the North. UArctic launched the Science Diplomacy Thematic Network in 2017 in
order to train scientists as diplomats with theory, methods and skills that contribute to
informed decision-making for sustainable development in the Arctic and elsewhere across
generations.
Date
UArctic – 1998
UArctic Science Diplomacy Thematic Network – 2017
Place
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Stakeholders?
International Network
Funding
Public / Private
Type of Members
Higher education institutions and organisations concerned with education and research in
and about the North
UArctic wants to build and strengthen collective resources and collaborative

infrastructure. Through cooperation in education, research and outreach they enhance
human capacity in the North, promote viable communities and sustainable economies,
and forge global partnerships.
The UArctic network includes nearly 190 institutions collaborating (for a full list, visit this
link). The network empowers the people of the Circumpolar North by providing unique
educational and research opportunities through collaboration within a powerful network
of members. The Arctic Council, the Standing Committee of Arctic Parliamentarians and
other Arctic leadership institutions recognize UArctic and its members as the educational,
training and research engine of the North.
The UArctic Science Diplomacy Thematic Network builds on scientific cooperation. The
Network was launched in 2017 and enhances interdisciplinary research (natural sciences,
social sciences, indigenous knowledge and international relations) in the Arctic context,
collaborative and innovative education opportunities across the UArctic Network (science
diplomacy joint courses, faculty exchanges, etc.), and will convene high-level,
international dialogues and conferences.
The aim is to engage the full range of stakeholders, from diplomats and experts to
students, in an international, interdisciplinary and inclusive manner. Science diplomacy in
the Arctic has already proven its global relevance, as highlighted by the Agreement on
Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation signed by the foreign ministers of all
eight Arctic states as well as from the Governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands
on 11 May 2017 at the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Research Networks
Programa Iberoamericano de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo

(CYTED)
http://www.cyted.org
Nature
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Stakeholders?
Multi-stakeholder.
- Lead: Governmental stakeholders

- Partners: Research and academia, and Industry sector
CYTED’s main objective is to contribute to the harmonious development of the Ibero-

American region through cooperation mechanisms that seek scientific and technological
results, transferable to production systems and social policies. The beneficiaries of CYTED
financing instruments may be universities, R&D centres and innovative corporations in
member countries.
The CYTED Programme also answers the calling to act as a bridge for interregional
cooperation in Science and Technology between the European Union and Latin America.
CYTED was created in 1984 through an Interinstitutional Framework Agreement signed

by 21 countries of Spanish and Portuguese language. Since 1995, the CYTED Programme
has been formally included among the Cooperation Programmes of the Ibero-American
Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The specific goals of the CYTED Programme are:
 Encouraging the integration of the Ibero-American Scientific and Technological

Community, promoting an agenda of shared priorities for the region.
 Strengthening the technological development capacity of Ibero-American
countries through the promotion of joint scientific research, the transfer of
knowledge and techniques, and the exchange of scientists and technologists
among R&D+i groups in the member countries.
 Promoting the participation of business sectors from member countries interested
in innovation processes, in accordance with the research and technological
developments of the Ibero-American Scientific and Technological Community.
 Promoting the participation of researchers from the Region in other multilateral
research programmes through agreements for this purpose.
Date
1984
Place
Regional Network
Funding
Public
Type of Members
The CYTED Programme is organised according to a decentralised model, whose

institutional framework is comprised of the Organismos Nacionales de Ciencia y
Tecnología (ONCYT), the bodies responsible for the scientific and technological policies of
the 21 participating countries. Each ONCYT is responsible for the management of the
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programme in their country and participates with a representative in the administration

bodies of CYTED.
The General Assembly is the highest level political decision-making body of the CYTED
Programme. It is integrated by the highest authorities of the ONCYT.
The General Secretariat is the management body of the CYTED Programme, and which
is of international nature. It comprises the Secretary General (appointed every 3 years
by the General Assembly), the Area Managers (appointed for a period of two years and
may be elected for a further period), a Scientific coordinator and the technical staff that
provides support in the secretariat at the headquarters located in Madrid (Spain).
As mentioned above, CYTED aims to foster scientific and technological projects to

encourage harmonious development in Ibero-America. As such, the type of Research and
Development tools available for CYTED are as follows:
 Funding calls for Projects on Strategic Issues: call for participants to apply
for funding for research and technological development projects within groups of
CYTED countries. These are financed with both CYTED funds as well as with
external contributions from the member countries through their national
organisations (ONCYT). The projects must be relevant from the viewpoints of
research and innovation, should have transnational character and their duration
will be of up to three years.
 The Thematic Networks: clusters of research and development (R&D)

formed by public or private entities and corporations from the member countries
of the CYTED Programme, whose scientific or technological activities are related
within a common area of interest and included in one of the Programme Areas.
Their main objective is the exchange of knowledge between R&D groups and the
strengthening of cooperation as a work method.
Read more!
You may learn more about CYTED and its science diplomacy dimension in this reference:
- Gual Soler, Marga (2014): “El Papel de las Redes Científicas Intergubernamentales en las Relaciones
Regionales y la Integración de América Latina”. In: Science & Diplomacy, Vol. 3, No. 4 (December 2014).
Available on: link.
3.3.4 Global Networks
Global Networks on Science Diplomacy usually bring together stakeholders from different
countries/nationalities in order to fulfil goals such as:
 Sharing best practices and fostering networking

 Promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation
 Promoting research or collaboration projects to tackle common global challenges
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Below we list some exploratory categories depending on their main goal, but there are
many different additional concepts to categorise them all.
Global Advisory Networks
These networks are comprised of knowledge brokers who advise to policy-makers and
decision-makers in governmental institutions or intergovernmental transnational and
supranational institutions (such as the United Nations). Working in the interphase
between science and policy is a challenge that requires sharing best practices as to how
to best present the scientific evidence or to address questions from policy-makers and
decision-makers.
Below you may find some examples of this thriving type of global networks.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
http://www.ipcc.ch
Nature
Multi stakeholder
- Lead: Transnational and supranational stakeholders - UN

- Other stakeholders involved: Research and academia (panel of individual
researchers)
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for
assessing the science related to climate change. The objective of the IPCC is to provide
governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate
policies. IPCC reports are also a key input into international climate change negotiations.
Date
1988
Place
UN, Geneva, Switzerland
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Stakeholders?
Funding
Public
Type of Members
Governments. The IPCC is an organization of governments that are members of the

United Nations or WMO. The IPCC currently has 195 members.
The IPCC provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its
impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
The IPCC produces assessment reports; IPCC scientists volunteer their time to assess the
thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary
of what is known about the drivers of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and
how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks.
An open and transparent review by experts and governments around the world is an
essential part of the IPCC process, to ensure an objective and complete assessment and
to reflect a diverse range of views and expertise. Through its assessments, the IPCC
identifies the strength of scientific agreement in different areas and indicates where
further research is needed. The IPCC does not conduct its own research.
The IPCC is divided into three Working Groups and a Task Force. Working Group I deals
with The Physical Science Basis of Climate Change, Working Group II with Climate
Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability and Working Group III with Mitigation of
Climate Change. The main objective of the Task Force is on National Greenhouse Gas
Inventories.
Representatives of IPCC member governments meet one or more times a year in Plenary
Sessions of the Panel, where non-members can assist as observants. They elect a Bureau
of scientists for the duration of an assessment cycle. Governments and Observer
Organisations nominate, and Bureau members select experts to prepare IPCC reports.
They are supported by the IPCC Secretariat and the Technical Support Units of the
Working Groups and Task Force.
To support the preparation of its reports, the IPCC organizes scoping meetings, lead
author meetings, workshops and expert meetings. It also organises various outreach
events that communicate its findings, methodologies and explains the way the
organisation works.
The Paris Agreement on climate, concluded in 2016, was a success facilitated in part by
science diplomacy. In this, the partnership of the worldwide scientific community and
governments through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was a
game changer.
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Stakeholders?
Foreign Ministries S&T Advice Network (FMSTAN)
https://www.ingsa.org/divisions/fmstan/
Nature
Mono-stakeholder network
- Lead: Governmental (science advisers from national governments)
The Foreign Ministries Science and Technology Advice Network (FMSTAN) is a global
network of science advisers with experience within countries’ Foreign Ministries,
operating under the auspices of the International Network for Government Science
Advice (INGSA).
It began in February 2016 with a meeting convened by the U.S. Science and Technology
Advisor to the Secretary of State at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington,
D.C. This initial meeting involved the four S&T advisers to foreign ministers from Japan,
New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States along with diplomats from twelve other
nations: Chile, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Oman, Panama, Poland, Senegal,
South Africa, Ukraine, and Vietnam. A few months later, Senegal became the next
member of FMSTAN. And in 2017, Oman and Poland joined formally the network.
Date
February 2016
Place
Global Network
Funding
Public / International Organisations. Special division within INGSA. INGSA operates under
the auspices of the International Science Council
Type of Members
Government representatives. FMSTAN involves science advisors to Foreign Ministries,

diplomats, and other practitioners working for national. Membership to FMSTAN is by
invite only governments.
FMSTAN is under the umbrella of INGSA. INGSA is a collaborative platform for policy
exchange, capacity building and research across diverse science advisory organisations
and national systems. The network aims to enhance the global science-policy interface
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Stakeholders?
and improve the use of evidence-informed policy formation at both national and
transnational levels through workshops and fora.
FMSTAN’s main goals are:
 to raise awareness about the importance of enduring S&T advisory capacity in

foreign ministries
 to share best practices and lessons learned in building S&T advisory capacity
 to strengthen S&T advisory capacity in foreign ministries
 to coordinate respective S&T diplomacy activities.
S&T advisors to foreign ministries are not necessarily experts on all scientific matters,
but they understand the logics of science, are very well networked with scientists and
academic institutions and thus know where to find the most appropriate expert on any
given topic. They have the skills to explain evidence required for informed decision-
making about foreign affairs, serving as evidence brokers. to reveal options that
contribute to informed decision-making by nations across the international landscape.
Learn about the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA), the main
forum for policy makers, practitioners, national academies, scientific societies, and
researchers to share experience, build capacities, and develop theoretical and practical
approaches to the use of scientific evidence in informing policy at all levels of
government. INGSA involves both FMSTAN and SPIDER.
Peter Gluckman
(INGSA) and former Chief Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister of
New Zealand (2009-2018)
Can you tell us a bit about INGSA?

SPIDER (Science Policy in Diplomacy and External Relations)
https://www.ingsa.org/divisions/spider/
Nature
Multi-stakeholder network.
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Stakeholders?
- Lead: Research and academia

- Partners: Government
A new network, the Science Policy in Diplomacy and External Relations (SPIDER), has
been created within INGSA. SPIDER is intended to be a forum broader than FMSTAN for
policy makers, practitioners, national academies, scientific societies, diplomats and
researchers to share experience, build capacities, and develop theoretical and practical
approaches to the use of scientific evidence in informing policy in external relations and
diplomacy.
Date
February 2019
Place
Global network
Funding
Public / International Organisations. Special division within INGSA. INGSA operates under
the auspices of the International Science Council
Type of members
The network is open to anyone with an interest in the practice, theory or discussion of
science diplomacy.
SPIDER focuses on the role science can play in fostering collaboration between nations,
for the advancement of society. It will convene meetings, facilitate projects, provide
expert analysis and promote opportunities to members.
SPIDER will help drive, shape and develop the global discussion around the roles,
opportunities and risks of using science as a diplomatic tool. It will also produce novel
research that guides best practice, as well as provide a network of practitioners to share
skills, experiences and to build beneficial relationships.
In part, SPIDER will operate as an external think-do-tank for FMSTAN, by convening

scientists and experts on topics at the interface of science, diplomacy and international
relations. As such, SPIDER provides a structure that allows for greater communication
and transmission of ideas directly to foreign ministry representatives, amplifying the
impact of the network.
SPIDER recognises the vital and growing role of science diplomacy and addresses the
importance of science policy in diplomacy and external relations to foster collaboration
across the world with, and for, society. SPIDER aims to:
 Engage diverse stakeholders and society: Build, strengthen, and maintain a

community of diverse stakeholders in science, technology, policy, and
international relations who contribute to and benefit from science diplomacy.
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 Empower scientists and diplomats: Promote networking and capacity among

scientists and international affairs professionals around the world to be future
leaders at the intersection of science and diplomacy and develop educational
tools, training, and resources.
 Build dialogue and mediation: Demonstrate and highlight the potential for
science to help build relationships across disciplines, sectors, and borders and
impact diplomatic efforts in a complex world.
Global Diaspora Networks
You were introduced to the STI diaspora networks in the topic 3.3.2 National Networks
and they were covered again in the topic 3.3.3. Regional Networks. They were
characterised as groups of researchers and tech-experts from a specific nationality or
region scattered worldwide. Global diaspora networks, however, group several national or
regional diaspora networks or individual professionals from different nationalities under
the same umbrella. See below some examples.
Networks of Diasporas in Engineering and Science (NODES)
Nature
Multi-stakeholder network, with a partnership between government (the U.S. Department

of State), civil society organisation (the American Association for the Advancement of
Science, AAAS) and research and academia (the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
and the National Academy of Engineering (NAE).
This multi-stakeholder initiative seeks to support the establishment and practice

exchange of STI diaspora networks in the United States of America.
Date
Launched in 2013
Place
US
NODES is an initiative from different US stakeholders to bring together STI diasporas of

different nationalities that are active in the USA. NODES strives to:
 Sharing best practices and knowledge about science diasporas

 Increasing visibility and viability of knowledge networks by identifying appropriate
capacity-building tools
 Catalysing and strengthening STI diaspora networks by linking to professional
societies, universities, NGOs, and government agencies at home and abroad
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 Convening diasporas to share information and best practices at various fora
NODES usually organises an annual forum during the AAAS Annual Meeting to engage
scientists and engineers, students, innovators, and government and embassy officials by
sharing stories from the diaspora that highlight the ways that individuals and groups are
mobilizing diasporas to make a difference for and in their local, national, and global
communities.
Diplomatic Circles
These are networks of diplomats and science officers from different embassies and
consulates that gather on a periodic basis. As a group, they are able to better engage
with the government authorities of the host country, arrange visits to scientific research
centres or large research infrastructures, and organise scientific conferences in
collaboration with public agencies, universities and academia, civil society organisations
or even the industry sector.
These types of informal networks of government representatives are a useful and

dynamic information and communications channel, benefiting not only international
members, but also those science, technology and higher education stakeholders in the
hosting country. These institutions may rely on the diplomatic circle to amplify their own
messages to reach the international community abroad.
Usually they foster bilateral and multilateral collaborations and sometimes they also
focus on addressing global needs together.
Some examples are listed below.
Science Diplomats Club of Washington DC
http://www.sciencediplomats-washington.org/
Nature
Mono-stakeholder network
- Lead: Government (diplomats and STI delegates in embassies/consulates).
The Science Diplomats Club (SDC) is a social club in Washington DC to provide an

informal meeting place and networking channel for all science diplomats from diplomatic
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Stakeholders?
missions. The membership includes Science and Technology counsellors, attachés, or

representatives of research institutions from more than 40 Washington-based embassies,
about half of them from Europe. In addition, a few former science counsellors, as well as
some U.S. personalities, have been granted the status of SDC honorary members.
Place
Washington DC, USA
Date
SDC was established in January 1965
Funding
Public
Type of Members
Government representatives’ science diplomats
The Science Diplomats Club was established during a lunch held by the Embassy of
Denmark at the Cosmos Club in DC in January 1965. The club was the initial site for
luncheons; when the Embassy of the Netherlands took over the secretariat, luncheons
were also held at their embassy and other local restaurants. Starting in 1982, various
science counsellors started hosting luncheons at their embassies.
During these meetings, guest speakers from the government, associations, universities,
and industries informed SDC members about developments in science and technology
policy and on progress in Research and Development (R&D). In recent years, the club
has also made visits to S&T organisations inside and outside the Washington area.
In 2007 the Embassy of France in Washington DC began co-organising with SDC “Science
Breakfasts”, which take place eight to ten times a year with speeches from prominent
members of the American science and technology community. These breakfasts have
provided the 30-40 guests from 15-20 countries with the opportunity to strengthen ties
with American leaders in science and technology in a positive atmosphere.
List of other diplomatic circles
- The Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle Boston (link)

- The Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle Singapore (link)
- The London Diplomatic Science Club: established in 1960, current chair Embassy of France Prof Jean
Arlat (jean.arlat@ambascience.co.uk)
Global Educational Networks
These are networks of practitioners, educators and students that are interested in
receiving formal and informal science diplomacy education. This can be achieved by
training workshops, scientific conferences, online training courses, informal channels of
knowledge sharing, newsletters, etc. They are also key to foster networking and sharing
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of best practices to elevate the importance of science diplomacy within each

stakeholder’s landscape.
Science Diplomacy Education network (SciDipEd)
https://www.aaas.org/programs/center-science-diplomacy/education-network
Nature
Multi stakeholder network
- Lead: Civil society organisation (AAAS)

- Other stakeholders involved: Research and academia, government
The Science Diplomacy Education Network (SciDipEd) is the platform bringing together
educators and students in the U.S. and across the world interested in formal and informal
science diplomacy education. SciDipEd aims to advance the intellectual and practical
foundations of educating about science diplomacy and support the expansion in higher
education.
Date
February 2017
Place
Global Network
Funding
Public / Private
Type of Members
Higher education institutions and science diplomacy students clubs
The SciDipEd network was formally launched at the Science Diplomacy Conference 2017
at AAAS Headquarters in Washington D.C and formally presented on February 19, 2017,
at a special session of the AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston. The session discussed the
multitude of paths towards a career in science diplomacy, the various educational
opportunities that are emerging in the field, and the critical role of universities and
scientific organisations in advancing science diplomacy education and training.
SciDipEd intends to serve as a hub of support, providing guidance to institutional and

individual partners and stimulating the exchange of resources and ideas, including:
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 Providing an online ”one-stop shop” of science diplomacy programmes, student

groups, and educational and training materials available at universities and other
tertiary-level educational institutions around the world;
 Sharing model practices among institutional and individual members through
regular gatherings and networking events;
 Developing and aggregating educational materials, case studies, briefings,
simulation exercises and multimedia resources for use in the community.
The network is primarily comprised of representatives of higher education institutions

(including faculty, administrators, and students)* currently offering science diplomacy
courses or training, looking for guidance to establish them, or interested in growing the
quantity and quality of science diplomacy educational programs at their universities and
research institutions. Additionally, student-led clubs* and courses focused on science
diplomacy are proliferating in the U.S. and abroad, and SciDipEd will help these groups
cultivate and network to share ideas, best practices and resource materials.
*For a full list of all institutions and student-led clubs involved, visit this link.
Global Research Networks
These global networks gather different stakeholders together primarily to assemble

resources for research. They also promote collaborative research projects and foster
networking and capacity training for researchers to better engage with the diplomatic
world.
Big Research Infrastructures for Diplomacy and Global Engagement

through Science (BRIDGES)
https://www.iiasa.ac.at/web/home/research/sciencepolicy/bridges/bridges.html
Nature
Mono-stakeholder (Research and Academia – Large research infrastructures)
BRIDGES is an informal network of people who deal with science diplomacy and
international relations in international research organisations.
Date
2019
Place
International network with the coordination based in IIASA in Austria.
Funding
Public
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Stakeholders?
Type of members
Delegates from large research infrastructures
The BRIDGES network involves delegates from CERN, EMBL, ESA, ICTP, IIASA, ITER,
JRC, SKA and XFEL participating. ESO, ILL and SESAME are part of it as well, and some
more are being approached.
In recent years the topic of science diplomacy is gaining more and more importance,
however the concept itself has remained somewhat abstract and would benefit from
becoming more hands-on and operational. So, BRIDGES participants wanted to establish
a joint science diplomacy platform to create a community of science diplomacy
practitioners in international research organizations.
The network is a very lean operation without fees, legal commitments, or the like, and
has hosted two meetings in 2019.
3.4 Question Time
3.4.1 Brainstorming Questions
These questions are posed for you to reflect individually about the main messages put by
our experts in science diplomacy. Please, take some time to think about them.
 How could as diverse an ecosystem as science diplomacy be better coordinated at

the national and regional level?
 Are different stakeholders sufficiently trained to act in the SD arena?
 Is there room for the research community or a part of it to be more engaged in

science diplomacy?
 How can the research method and the necessary independence of science be
brought together with science diplomacy interests?
 Do you think the European Union is making full use of its science diplomacy
potential in the international scene?
 Do you think there are enough knowledge brokers and communication interfaces
to facilitate the flow of information among science and diplomacy?
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Let’s see how much you’ve learnt – Quiz Time: What Is Science
Diplomacy?
Please, take this quiz to evaluate how much you have learnt. You need to get 8 questions
right out of 10 in order to move to the next module. You can take the quiz as many times
as needed.
Remember to choose the right option in each question unless stated otherwise in the
question.
Question 1. Science diplomacy stakeholders operate at the local, national,

regional, and global level. Depending on their nature, they could be grouped
as…
a. Governmental, industrial, research, political, and non-for-profit
b. Governmental stakeholders, intergovernmental international and supranational

institutions, researchers and academia, civil society and industry sector
c. Co-funded, multi-stakeholder, regional and international
d. Governmental, global city-driven, regional and lobby-driven.
Question 2. FMSTAN is a network…
a. Formed by science attachés of the different embassies based in London willing to share
information and identify common goals for collaboration
b. Funded by the European Commission and appointed to be the science advice

mechanism to the External Action Service
c. Of science advisors with experience within countries’ Foreign Ministries, operating

under the auspices of the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA)
d. Of researchers lobbying for circular economy to be a flagship of the next research and
development framework of the European Commission, Horizon Europe
Question 3. Science diplomacy stakeholders…
a. Make up a diverse ecosystem that still has room for improvement in terms of
coordination, training and securing funding, among others.
b. Can be consulted in the United Nations database “science diplomacy stakeholders

worldwide”
c. Are always governmental officials and diplomats that interact only at the government-
government level
d. Have the same training and education background
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Question 4. Regarding national science diplomacy strategies…
a. All member states in the European Union have their own science diplomacy strategies
b. They are shaped and created acknowledging each national landscape, country specific
goals and approaches.
c. They are all funded by the United Nations through UNESCO
d. Are always led by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the country
Question 5. Researchers can be involved in science diplomacy pursuing different

interests. From the list below, select the one that is NOT one of their interests…
a. Establishing cross-border scientific collaborations and exploring new research funding

opportunities
b. Lobbying for certain scientific issues to permeate into public policy affairs and raising
awareness of the importance of evidence-informed policy making
c. Serving as science advisers to Ministers for Foreign Affairs in order to promote

misunderstandings, mistrust, and fake news among nations
d. Raising the public value of science and making the case for science to be a key
element to achieve national/regional/global goals
Question 6. The UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN)…
a. has three offices, in Paris, Washington DC, and Tokyo
b. is a diplomatic network operating in London and gathering scientific attachés of all the
countries with a diplomatic representation in the UK
c. is a multi-stakeholder network in which industry, academia, civil society organisations,

and the UK Government work altogether in developing specific training for British
diplomats
d. is a network of STI attaches (locally hired officers) who are embedded in British
embassies and consulates abroad, working alongside with career diplomats
Question 7. The Science Diplomats Club of Washington DC…
a. brings together scientific attachés from European Members States in the US with the
aim of better coordinating its science diplomacy strategies in the US
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b. is a network of US scientists aiming at raising awareness of the importance of US

diplomacy to be better informed by scientific evidence
c. is a social club in Washington DC to provide an informal meeting place and networking

channel for all science diplomats from diplomatic missions
d. is the only current scientific attachés circle in the world
Question 8. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)…
a. is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change
b. is a joint effort of international NGOs to raise awareness of the climate change

emergency
c. is an international knowledge exchange mechanism for local, regional and national

policy makers working on climate change
d. is a global fund for international research projects on climate change
Question 9. The German Academic International Network (GAIN)…
a. is the German Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) ex-alumni working together to

promote bigger budget for MSCA actions
b. is the network of German scientists and researchers of all disciplines, working at

leading research institutes worldwide
c. is a German fund to foster academic exchange between Germany and the UK
d. is a fund to attract German researchers to come back to Germany and continue their
research career in German universities and research centres
Question 10. Swissnex is…
a. a network of Swiss researchers working in the US that aims at building bridges among
the US and Switzerland
b. a joint effort of the Swiss diplomatic body and the Swiss universities to better train
Swiss diplomats in scientific matters
c. a public-private partnership to promote international cooperation in science,

technology, and innovation of Switzerland
d. the only diplomatic network with a focus on science and technology in Europe
55
ONLINE COURSE

Stakeholders?
Quiz Solution
1b
2c
3a
4b
5c
6d
7c
8a
9b
10c
56

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S4D4C EUROPEAN SCIENCE DIPLOMACY

Who Are the Science Diplomacy

Ana Elorza, MA, PhD

Lorenzo Melchor, PhD

Izaskun Lacunza, PhD

Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), Spain

The following reviewers have undertaken quality assurance of this module:

This module takes a minimum of 3 hours

How to cite this content

If you want to refer to this content, please use:

2.1 Introduction to the module .................................................................. 4

Module 3. Who Are the Science Diplomacy

2.1 Introduction to the module

2.1.1 Learning objectives and experts’ preliminary insights

At the end of this module you will have learned:

 What is the nature of their work

What the experts think

What are the main stakeholders in science diplomacy internationally?

Module 3. Who Are the Science Diplomacy

Marga Gual Soler

Who are the main stakeholders in science diplomacy internationally?

What other international stakeholders relevant to science diplomacy

Some Questions to reflect on after watching the videos

 Do you think science diplomacy is all performed through classic diplomatic

3.1.2 The S4D4C Approach to Science Diplomacy: a Multi-Stakeholder

Module 3. Who Are the Science Diplomacy

This approach has a number of implications, as science diplomacy is not understood as a

Read more about the Madrid Declaration on Science Diplomacy here:

3.1.3 Science Diplomacy Stakeholders. Our Taxonomy Proposal

The taxonomy we propose to sort the different stakeholders working on science

Module 3. Who Are the Science Diplomacy

Thus, our taxonomy proposal has two levels:

1. Types of science diplomacy stakeholders, where stakeholders of different

2. Types of science diplomacy networks, where different types of stakeholders

3.2 Types of Science Diplomacy Stakeholders

 Governmental stakeholders: involving nation states and subnational

 Transnational and supranational stakeholders: in other words, international

 Research and academic stakeholders: research and academic actors with a

 Industry sector stakeholders: private companies, which can be trans- or multi-

Module 3. Who Are the Science Diplomacy

2) Governments are the actors in the transnational bodies: in International Relations

3) Research is everywhere: research and individual researchers can be found not

What the experts think

Is science diplomacy a matter for classic diplomacy only? Is there

Module 3. Who Are the Science Diplomacy

Is science diplomacy a matter for classic diplomacy only?

3.2.1 Governmental Stakeholders

Module 3. Who Are the Science Diplomacy

The most common objectives of these strategies are:

 Strengthening bilateral scientific collaborations and the support of countries’ STI

 Facilitating evidence-informed positions of the country in multilateral endeavours

 Bringing new scientific opportunities and scientific talent to the country

 Using scientific collaborations as a tool for improving bilateral relations with

 Acknowledging STI as a key asset of the country in its image abroad

 Facilitating country companies to have a good place in the international innovation

Although these strategies are government-led, the importance of other government

How they operate

Governments deploy their strategies at different layers: from high-level coordination

Module 3. Who Are the Science Diplomacy

interfaces, administrative processes and trust-building among different stakeholders are

What the experts think

What makes the Spanish science diplomacy strategy different from

Module 3. Who Are the Science Diplomacy